Italian Caps @#%$##@

[JW 5875V]

Purchased a few packages at the last National. I have been trying to
re site the musket in with these and they are not going off,
sometimes 3 hits with the hammer.
At least I got my flinching tamed!!!!
Other members with problems??

Jim Whitehouse Sr. 5875V
Allegheny city Guards.

[Maillemaker]

Do you mean Scheutzen caps?

I have problems with them with my Sharps. I think the problem is they are steel, not brass. They are brass plated. I think the steel does not deform quite as well as brass, so sometimes it takes 2 hammer strikes to go off.

I tried filing down my nipple a bit to get a better fit, but I'm still having to double-strike them to get them go off. I have been recommended to file a small chamfer on the tip of the cone to avoid the internal radius around the floor of the cap. I have not done it yet.

I don't have a problem with them on any of my other guns. Perhaps I should just replace the nipple.

Steve

[John Westenberger]

I?m going to assume you mean the Schuetzen caps (I?ve also heard them called Spanish caps too).

I?ve had no issues at all with them. Actually seem to be a bit hotter than CCI?s, my carbine, musket(s) and smoothbore all like them. Only problem I have is the cap splatter is much worse. Being left handed makes this a problem, but nothing a good thick tube sock over my arm didn?t fix!

[Maillemaker]

I agree the increased spatter is very annoying - my left pinky finger gets peppered enough to sting pretty good at a skirmish. I've started altering my hold it is so annoying!

I initially thought they were hotter also, so I 3D printed a little hollow "cartridge" to fit in my Sharps chamber, and I covered the end with 1, 2, 3, etc. layers of hair curler paper, and did a "blast test" with Shuetzen vs. RWS caps. Turns out, they were about the same and blasted through about the same number of layers of paper.

I now think perhaps the increased spatter is probably due to the steel caps not deforming/sealing as tightly around the nipple when hammered.

Steve

[PapaRob]

I have found that my Smith really doesn't like the Spanish caps neighter does my Harpers Ferry. Others in my unit have no problems with them but some run into the same problems I do. Seems like the fulminate mercury (or whatever they use) falls out of the Spanish caps much easier than the germans so you end up with a lot more dud caps.

Rob

[Muley Gil]

They work fine in my 2 band P-H, two Euroarms 3 banders and my Pietta Smith.

[marv762]

i had some duds also when i first tried them a couple years back. the difference in the price was why i tried them and the german caps were getting harder to get and running almost $100. they work fine for me except on my sharps. still have wingless caps for that.

[JW 5875V]

Do you mean Scheutzen caps?

Yep, they are the buggers that I am having problems with.
The Zoli is showing its age and maybe I will try a different nipple.

Thanks Guys!

Jim Whitehouse Sr. 5875V
Allegheny City Guards

[Maillemaker]

Yup, they work fine on all my other guns - Pietta Smith, original Smith (repro nipple from Lodgewood though), Euroarms Enfield (Whitacre barrel), Armisport 1842.

Only my Pedersoli Sharps gives me fits.

Steve

[Charlie Hahn]

On your Sharps, check to see if your block has a little play.. To do this close the breech and push down on the block to see if it moves down a little. If it does you might take a look at your link to see if it is worn.

Charlie Hahn

[tucten]

Scheutzen used to be Elephant. I still have a case of 3f powder from years ago.

[Kevin Tinny]

Hello, Tucten:

Unless something significant has happened, Elephant was only made in Brazil with sodium nitrate instead of potassium nitrate. The sodium nitrate and less graphite glazing made it more hydroscopic. Last I heard, Schuetzen was/is the German WANO brand.

When many tested and used Elephant, it was 10% - 15% weaker than GOI/GOEX.

My understanding is that Elephant has not been imported for many years. If questions, I suggest you ask either Dave Gullo at Buffalo Arms in Montana or Jackie Vernkoske at Back Creek Gun Shop in Winchester. Please let us know if you hear otherwise. Thanks.
Very respectfully
Kevin Tinny
PS: Edited fer spelingk. Haha.

[JW 5875V]

Well the next day or so, depending on weather I am planning to shoot the Zoli
again with the problem caps.
Plans are to maybe, shim the main spring with a piece of leather
for more hammer strike force, or to chuck the nipple and reduce
the radius of the nipple a few thousands down towards the
base towards threads a short distance.
Will post results!!

Jim Whitehouse Sr. 5875V
Allegheny City Guards

[tackdriver]

Purchased a few packages at the last National. I have been trying to
re site the musket in with these and they are not going off,
sometimes 3 hits with the hammer.
At least I got my flinching tamed!!!!
Other members with problems??

Jim Whitehouse Sr. 5875V
Allegheny city Guards.

I had the same problem with some older caps from Dixie. beThe first couple hammer drops were needed to problem seat the cap before it would go off. I sanded down my nipple a little and the problem stopped. Course, when I've used up all of these caps I might have to buy new nipple... Going for $20 now!